City officials recently honored Gregorio ‘Goyo’ Diccion Santella as a centenarian of the city this year.
In Resolution 83, s. 2023, the city council stated Santella’s secret to long life is he eats in moderation and drinks a lot of water.
He and his wife are physically healthy and walk to the city’s center and parks for fresh air and to connect with nature.
The Santella couple also attends regular Sunday masses as part of their religious obligation.
His exposure to hard jobs at an early age made his body firm and mind healthy.
Santella is the eldest of the six children of Alejo Santella and Teresa Diccion-Santella, who was born on Sept. 15, 1920 in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur. He is now 102 years old.
He got married on Sept. 1, 1951 to Josephine Kayan and were blessed with three daughters and a son, who are all residing in San Diego, California, U.S.A.
Aside from his sharp memory, Santella reportedly looks younger than his age.
Back then, farming was their main source of income and that he was able to extend help to his parents.
He fondly remembers going to school on foot with his siblings in their hometown in Cabugao.
When World War II was over in 1942, he pursued college and graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Education.
After graduating from college, Santella applied for a teaching position in Bauko, Mountain Province where he met the love of his life.
The couple bought a lot at Upper Brookside barangay and built their own home where they started their family.
Santella was assigned as supervisor of the Bureau of Private Schools in Region I under the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports in San Fernando City, La Union until his retirement in 1986.
After retirement from government service, he was offered work in the administration department of the Baguio Central University.
The resolution provided Santella should be awarded the privileges pursuant to Ordinance 10, s. 2022. – PIO release
April 19, 2024
